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Friday, January 30,1998
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Erictßediean tones
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Laura Godwin and Leslie fiikinson managing EDITORS
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BOARD EDITORIALS
Economics of parking
H Solutions to UNC’s parking problem have been suggested, but these
alternatives must be comprehensive to be viable.
We applaud the hard work of the
Department of Transportation and Parking.
They have recognized the principle that when
prices go up, demand tends to go down. But
basic economics also says that when people
don’t have other comparable options, they just
sigh and pay the higher rates.
Until park and ride systems are more conve
nient, cheaper and include more lots, professors
and students will continue to compete for
increasingly limited on-campus spots.
Convenient transportation should be a right of
everyone associated with the University. There
is no way we can equitably achieve this using
only single-occupant vehicles.
Though it could use some improvements to
increase convenience to the student population,
the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area already has one
of the most extensive bus systems among areas
of its size in the country. Most of us already
ride the bus at least occasionally. The more we
ride, the more responsive the system will
become to our needs. The task force has already
agreed to move forward on a reverse U-bus
route and fixed Point-2-Point routes during the
day.
How many of us really need a car on cam
pus anyway? If buses are able to quickly and
cheaply get us where we want to go, or to our
remotely parked cars, only the on-campus
dwellers in special circumstances will be willing
IN MY OPINION
Homeless victim of circumstance
As an incoming freshman last fall, I was
absolutely thrilled to learn that I had been
placed in Winston Residence Hall, directly
across from the Student Union and right in the
center of all that UNC had to offer. My excite
ment continued after I discovered that not only
did I have a corner room, but one of the two
windows actually opened!
However, on Monday I learned that all of
this was soon to change. I received a letter stat
ing that the Department of University Housing
was “pleased to announce” that Winston would
soon be converted to “Substance-Free
Housing.” The letter then informed residents
that they would lose rights to their rooms come
fall, but would be given “first priority” in fall
area-change assignments.
I do not deny that the idea of a “Substance
Free” residence hall is a valid one. I do, how
ever, contest the manner in which this decision
for conversion was carried out. Not only were
the residents not consulted in the decision, the
Residence Hall Association failed miserably in
its task of keeping students informed concern
ing issues which would drastically affect their
housing options. Even the resident assistants
seemed to know little or nothing about the com
ing changes.
In addition, the timing of the announcement
was poorly planned. Students have been given
six weeks to sort through the confusion caused
by the letter before housing renewal contracts
are due. In spite of assurances to the contrary,
giving students such a limited time to make
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http://tww.unc.edn/dth
to pay for spaces vaguely near their residences.
Even students and professors who live off cam
pus could relax more in the mornings if they
knew they could easily find a space in a remote
lot and quickly ride to class.
It’s evident how important an extensive park
and ride system is to the University. An esti
mate for building this system and making it free
is sl.l million.
But aren’t there alternatives besides the cur
rent state of affairs and this high price tag?
Because transportation is an important element
of University life, both students and the
University should be willing to pay to increase
its effectiveness.
Popular opinion champions an immediate
beginning to construction on another parking
deck. But the construction of the new parking
deck on South Campus would contribute to the
DTP’S current debt. The high cost of construc
tion means that approval and construction
would not be completed until the problem has
gotten even fiirther out of hand. These consid
erations mean that the more feasible option is
to build cheaper remote lots gradually, as funds
permit.
The task force’s proposals represent progress
by addressing the parking problem on campus
with realistic solutions. Now the administration
needs to follow up the proposals with funding
ideas and comprehensive implementation.
decisions of this magni
tude is sure to cause
chaos.
Finally, the sudden
ness of this decision
lead me to question its
validity. While the letter
claims that students
have expressed great
interest in special-inter
est housing of this kind,
the sudden conversion
of an entire Middle Campus residence hall to
a program this narrow in scope is unnecessary.
The idea is a good one, but the lack of stu
dent input in the decision-making process
seems to invalidate not only the idea of special
interest housing but even the existence of a stu
dent-run RHA. Although attempts are being
made at this stage to keep students advised and
informed, doing so before making a final deci
sion would have well behooved both RHA and
University Housing.
While the details of the conversion seem
designed to make the transition as painless as
possible for both new and relocated Winston
residents, I must admit that I am still perturbed
at this sudden loss of squatter’s rights to my
room. And this incident seems to undermine
the traditional process of room assignments, by
forcing students to rely on the good graces of
luck in a manner much more drastic than for
merly anticipated.
So ... anyone want a roommate?
Leva Dwyer EDfTORKL PWE EDITOR
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EDITORIAL WRITER
EDITORIAL
Plans for new Lenoir Hall, but with ambiance
Our campus stands divided. The battle
lines have been drawn... and it’s not
about affirmative action or the CAA.
This is a matter of pride, a matter of distinc
tion between “old school” and “new
school.”As surely as some favor George
Lazenby over Timothy Dalton, Michael
Keaton over Val Kilmer, Melinda Culea’s
Amy Allen over Marla Hearsley’s Tawnia
Baker, this, THIS is a matter of honor.
Does your UNC ONE Card have a loose
change stripe?
In the wake of the University steaming
ahead with its titanic plans for anew ONE
Card, it is inevitable that the old school will
come out swinging.
Apollo Creed’s been knocked down; he’s
not getting up again (Oh, Chumbawamba,
will you never learn?). It is the end of an era,
and not just for everyone’s Social Security
numbers doubling as their ID. Soon, like the
8-track and beta VCRs, the old school will
fade into Jurassic Park; it’ll be just another
dinosaur.
Back in the days, copies and candy could
only be obtained through the aforementioned
loose change stripe (and via cash, sure, but
people who pay cash are like talking baby
movies: cute the first time and then, man, do
they get annoying).
With the introduction of Expense Account
Readers, this antiquated methodology fell by
the wayside.
As new students enrolled (and as older stu
dents lost their cards), anew wave of plastic
was ushered in. These cards had but one fat
stripe on the back, the loose change stripe
phased out as surely as Suzanne Sommers on
“Three’s Company.”
If you still hold a card with a loose change
stripe, investigate the possibility of some
money remaining in the limbo of electronic
data that is UNC’s system. Richard Pryor is
out there collecting that money to buy a
Ferrari and that’s just not right.
Go to the ONE Card Office and ask them
to scan your loose change stripe. They still
have a card eater... er, reader... hooked up
Johnson columns incorrect;
fails to recognize problems
TO THE EDITOR
Just as Andy Johnson’s argument for a
“meritocracy” (“Equality Justification for
affirmative action?” Jan. 21) was impractical,
his call for affirmative action reform based
solely on socio-economic class is equally
problematic (“Time for new, improved affir
mative action” Jan. 28).
It is true that class has historically been
overshadowed by our awkward construction
of race and that the power structure has
maintained its leverage by undermining class
identity through provoked racial tensions.
However, while I actively agree that we
should supplement current UNC affirmative
action policies to include class criteria, elim
inating the racial component is clearly pre
mature.
Johnson contradicts himself by recogniz
ing the existence of politically and economi
cally sanctioned racism while simultaneously
negating the value of race as a component of
equal opportunity legislation.
Johnson’s “improved” affirmative action
fails to recognize that this endangered equal
izer was originated in large part to combat
racism —a social phenomenon that is alive
and well today.
Contemporary racism is often difficult to
identify, especially for those of us who don’t
directly encounter it.
Hence, Johnson suggests institutional
racism is merely an unfortunate memory,
stating that socioeconomically disadvantaged
students generally receive substandard edu
cation irrespective of race.
While the latter is a commendable valida
tion for the class argument, it ignores tangible
evidence that proves non-whites face disad
vantages at every level of education.
Due to racist educational “tracking ’ sys
tems, minorities often are disproportionately
relegated to “slow” classes in elementary
school where they continue to receive sub
standard instruction, materials, etc.
After being taught an Eurocentric curricu
lum by mostly white teachers, minorities then
take the SAT —a test conceived by white
supremacists that is proven to be culturally
biased against non-whites.
The results of this educational experience
are the primary criterion for University
admissions. I would argue that it is the com-
that sucks up the
card and spits out a
balance in the cool
glow of LED
lights.
I had five cents
on my card when I
checked. All I had
to do was fill out a
form and ... noth
ing up my sleeve ...
PRESTO! The
money, which had
KEVIN HANNA >
40514
sat dormant for
well over 6 months, was finally transferred
into my expense account. No goodniks foiled
again. Sorry, Fearless Leader.
Impending changes to the ONE Card sys
tem loom, providing an opportunity for fresh
thinking and new services. The new 16-digit
cards will provide enhanced security and be in
line with what we and Dr. Evil call “a debit
card.” UNC is thus breaking with the past to
enter the Electric Boogaloo era.
I too have broken with the past and
embarked on a most excellent adventure this
term. This is the first semester I have com
pletely forgone a meal plan on campus. Before
leaving UNC, I briefly considered nailing a
list of grievances to die doors of Chase or
Camp Lenoir Mess Hall but never quite got
around to writing the manifesto. One of the
lost recommendations was a personal indul
gence: the introduction of the UNC Gold
Card. It’s like the ONE Card, but it’s gold.
Consider the following before you exhale a
Joey Lawrence “Whoa!”
1: Tradition. It’s so Topol, but we don’t
want to fiddle with it, do we? Distinctions are
important, otherwise anybody could get into
Old East.
2: Enhanced servief for Gold Card mem
bers.
Contrary to Mac Gruff the crime dog, users
get more stuff. CDS says yes, ergo at the din
ing kiosks, Gold Card members could go
through separate lines. Maybe we could do it
on the honor system each person scans in
READERS’FORUM
The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments and
criticism. Letters to the editor should be no longer
than 400 words and must be typed, double-spaced,
dated and signed by no more than two people.
Students should include their year, major and phone
number. Faculty and staff should include their title,
department and phone number. The DTH reserves
the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgari
ty. Bring letters to the DTH office at Suite 104,
Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel
Hill, NC 27515 or email forum to: dth@unc.edu.
4)
bination of many race-specific policies and
standards —some clandestine, some subcon
scious rather than class disadvantage alone
that accounts for the “lesser academic
achievement” often associated with minori
ties.
In addition, the racial hierarchy reflected in
academic performance is maintained regard
less of socioeconomic status. That is to say
that poor whites outperform poor blacks and
will consequently be disproportionately aided
by class-based policy. Therefore, contrary to
Johnson’s oversimplified conclusion, such
reform neglects “the plight of inner-city
blacks."
Racism, sexism and class discrimination all
continue to impede our progress toward self
actualization. Oversimplified “solutions” that
do not address each of these paradigms can
not begin to create true equality of opportu
nity. Peace.
David Beal
JUNIOR
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
CAA anticipated difficulties;
worked for fair distribution
TO THE EDITOR
Complain, complain, complain. Whine,
whine, whine.
That’s all I’ve heard and read this week
She Daily (Tar Heel
a bar coded product and swipes her own card.
No, that won’t work... every time we bought
something, we’d all have to sign pledges: “On
my honor, I have neither given nor received unau
thorized aid in the purchase of this bagel"
Perhaps Gold Card members could get
preferential treatment at Taco Bell, thus tak
ing care of one of the top 100 concerns pre
sented to Chancellor Hooker. How much
would you pay now in student fees? Wait!
There’s more!
Though everybody gets the same food,
Gold Card members get a little extra in the
actual dining areas.
Bouncers could hold off the throngs of
“wannabe” Gold members (known as “The
Whites”) with velvet ropes, waving in the old
timers by name.
Perhaps John Ratzenberger and Rhea
Perlman could be employed to add a little
cheer to the new Lenoir; Union Station could
be renamed Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern. All
dining rooms could also offer special Gold
card seating, featuring white silk tablecloths
and candlelight. UNC ONE Gold Cards: the
same old, same old, but with ambiance.
And there are plenty of other perks associ
ated with Gold status.
Valet parking at the PR Lot; diplomas plas
tered with gold star stickers; gold phones with
direct access to Hooker, Broad and stately
Wayne Manor; plus much, much more. Now
how much would you pay?
Maybe it’s not “economical” or “realistic.”
But consider this. The ONE Card Office is
offering students the chance to change their
photos for the new cards. Sure I’d like to use
the one I have for this column; who wouldn’t
want to look like they’re modeling
Superman’s cape?
But, can’t I sell the photo space to an adver
tiser? Wouldn’t certain shoe manufacturers
jump at the chance to slap their logo there?
After all, in the end there can be only one.
One world, one campus, ONE Card.
Kevin Hanna is a senior communications major from
Malvern, Pa. He loves it when plans come together.
about basketball ticket distribution. But, most
people don’t have their facts straight.
CAA has been repeatedly slammed.
However, they are doing the best they can,
and I think they are doing a fine job. I’d like to
ask all the hotshots that have been bad
mouthing them to join CAA or at least pre
sent a better plan and then help them enforce
it.
The reason there were no Camp-outs last
year was so students wouldn’t skip class. To
restore camping out, CAA had to make the
policy that you could not line up until 6 p.m.,
when they would begin handing out numbers.
A mob scene arose at an earlier Camp-out
when nearly 800 people arrived at 6 p.m.
For all you whining about people being
allowed to line up early last Friday, if CAA
had made people wait until 6 p.m., a mob
scene 10 times worse than earlier this year
would have happened since it was the Dook
distribution.
We are lucky CAA was prepared and pre
vented another mob. The ticket distribution
committee spent time carrying and setting up
gates in the rain last Thursday night after their
meeting.
They anticipated that students would show
up earlier than they were supposed to, so they
made sure they had staff there all day. They
warned us all day that we could line up before
6 p.m. but at our own risk (since The Daily
Tar Heel advertised that numbers would not
be given out until 6 p.m.).
And, as for you turkeys that are bashing
CAA because they gave out numbers before 6
p.m., get your facts straight. The police chief,
athletic department and dean of students are
the ones who had the final say. Not CAA.
Because the line was so long and students
were standing out in the road instead of on
the sidewalks, the police told CAA that it was
too dangerous and they had to get everyone
out of there. So CAA didn’t have much choice
other than to hand out numbers early to get
students off the roads.
Remember, CAA has to deal with school
officials, the police and employees of the
Smith Center box office. So good job, Jason
Reynolds, Charlie Roederer, Dan Valenti,
Amy Whaley and the ticket distribution com
mittee. You’ve got one happy Tar Heel here,
and I’m sure there’s a bunch more!
Emily Tussey
JUNIOR
BIOSTATISTICS